Academy of Art University secure thanks to iCLASS

Security and safety at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco has been vastly improved thanks to the installation of HID Global’s iCLASS SE smartcard-operated access control platform to secure almost every door of the institution.

The iCLASS SE platform – installed across around 20 geographically-dispersed buildings that house expensive equipment and high-value student work product – has increased the university’s safety and security, reduced theft, and delivered new capabilities along with an improved campus experience and the ability to expand its access control infrastructure to support growth and future improvements. The university turned to HID Global after its inadequate security – buildings were protected only by basic locks and metal keys – became painfully apparent after a daylight break-in and burglary at one of the university residence halls resulted in significant property losses.

Upgrading to the iCLASS SE platform has achieved documented reductions intheft even as university enrollment has increased. Metal keys have been significantly reduced. Students, faculty and staff now have a single access ID card for applications ranging from opening doors to paying for campus dining and other purchases. The platform makes it easier to control access restrictions in labs, residence halls and other areas. The ID cards also enable users to open doors much more quickly.

“Meeting our twin needs for both security and scalability required that we upgrade to an access control system based on an open architecture that could support multiple card technologies and future enhancements,” says Mike Petricca, campus safety director with the Academy of Art University. “HID Global’s iCLASS SE platform has made our campus more safe and secure, while enabling cardholders to do more than just open doors with their ID cards.” The iCLASS SE platform gives administrators the future ability to provision credentials on mobile phones in a managed access environment, which the university believes will be extremely attractive to students, faculty and staff who rely more and more heavily on smartphones for a variety of daily tasks.